How to Build a Ladder Shelf Including Ladder Shelf Plans

The Ladder Shelf

You’ll see versions of the ladder shelf in on-trend home furnishing stores and on popular decorating sites. The shelf is ultra-sturdy and takes up very little space. We have many woodworking projects like this shelf. Our ladder Shelf Plans are easy to follow and fun to build.

Start with the Legs

This video is the perfect companion to the ladder shelf plans and it all starts with cutting the legs. Right off the bat, you’ll learn tricks for making sure the wood grain is running the right way and how to determine the exact angles needed to make the shelf stand up against a wall. There’s even a tip for how to make sure a loaded up shelf doesn’t wreck the wall behind it!

Make the Dado Jigs

Have you ever looked at some of our woodworking plans and shied away from a project that included making a dado jig? Even if you’ve made one before, you’ll learn useful tips for how to make dado jigs that ensure a perfect fit. You’ll also learn about choosing the correct router bit and guide bushing, how to use a simple piece of paper as a spacer, and how and why to make a climb cut with your router.

Assembly

If you’ve wondered how to band shelves for a professional, finished look, you’ll find out how to do it with this video. We take you step-by-step through the process, and you’ll learn what to use to clamp on the banding — it’s not a clamp! This video, the ladder shelf plans and the cut list are all you need to make your own handsome ladder shelf.

A full cut list for the ladder shelf is included. Click here to become a member to access the plans and cut list.